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First and foremost we welcome you to join our “Family of Marines”! |
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We the members of the Columbia
River Detachment, Department of Washington, Marine Corps League are always
seeking Marines, Corpsmen, and others who support the Corps, to share in camaraderie with their own. We have all shared in the hardships and
Esprit of the Marine Corps in defending our way of life. |
History ~ Tradition ~ Honor ~ Courage ~ Commitment |
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Above and beyond our 'Mission
Statement' enclosed, we are a family, this does not include just our members,
but also the members family. We pride
ourselves in taking care of our own, first and foremost. All of the grandeur activities that we
participate in have no meaning if we do not take care of ourselves first, as
without our family, we would be hard pressed to serve our community as we did
our nation. |
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Our membership consists of Marines, Corpsmen, and others (Associate Members) who strongly support our Corps and our
detachment of Marines. (Veterans of WW
II, Korea, Vietnam, Desert Storm, Iraq, Cold War, Desert Storm, Operation Enduring Freedom, and Marines currently on active duty around the world). We have members who are members of other
veteran associations, i.e. 1st, 2nd, 3rd & 6thMarDivAssociations, American
Legion, VFW. We have former Drill Instructors, Recruiters,
Inspector-Instructor Staff, Reserves, Motor transport, Cooks, Communication,
Supply, Administration, air wing, infantry, and sundry of military
occupational specialties (MOS). |
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We carry no rank/grade on our
sleeves... Our only real title is MARINE!
We do have members who have been elected and/or appointed to carry out
the administrative activities of our detachment and to lead us through each
year in our social and community activities.
I have also included in this a brief history of the detachment. You
are encouraged to participate in our activities, serve on our committees, and
serve in our community. We have
several committees and we would recommend selecting one that you would be
comfortable in doing and contact that chairperson. |
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It is understood that before we
decided to join with our family of Marines, we did have another life to which
we committed ourselves, our families, our employers and other friends in the
community we serve, and that your participation will depend upon other
commitments you already have.
Basically we ask only that you participate to the best of your
ability. We have one business meeting
a month (2hrs) and other activities you could participate in as your time
permits. We publish a monthly
newsletter to ensure that our membership is kept up to date on the activities
of their family. |
O N C E A M A R I N E, A L W A Y S A M A R I N E ! |
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MARINE CORPS LEAGUE MISSION STATEMENT |
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Members of the Marine Corps League
join together in camaraderie and fellowship for the purpose of preserving the
traditions and promoting the interests of the United States Marine
Corps. This is accomplished by
banding together those who are now serving in the United States Marine Corps
and those who have been honorably discharged from that service. Voluntarily aiding and rendering
assistance to all Marines and former Marines and to their widows and orphans,
and by perpetuating the history of the United States Marine Corps through fitting
acts to observe the anniversaries of historical occasions of particular
interest to Marines. |
COLUMBIA RIVER DETACHMENT #826 |
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DEPARTMENT OF WASHINGTON |
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MARINE CORPS LEAGUE |
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BRIEF HISTORICAL BACKGROUND |
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Somewhere around 1989, Marine
Larry Blair, Sgt. Major Retired, of Vancouver placed an ad in the Columbian
newspaper “Looking for a Few Good Marines”.
Marine William Hillgaertner of Camas/Washougal responded to the ad and
met with Larry at a meeting of the USS Oregon Detachment. There was not much response to the
ad. In 1990, Bill transferred from
the USS Oregon Detachment to Member at Large status and began developing a
plan to start a detachment here in SW Washington. In January, 1991 Bill received a letter from the Department of
Washington Commandant, Benny Dotson offering assistance in the development of
a detachment here in Vancouver USA.
In August of 1991 Bill sent out postcards to potential members
requesting a call or letter from them.
Bill received a commitment from Marine Richard Frazer and Gail Tucker
from the USS Oregon Detachment that they would transfer to the new detachment
when it was formed and of course Marine Larry Blair indicated he would also
become a member. Several other
responses began coming in. In
February of 1992, Bill received a roster of potential members from the
Department of Oregon; Commandant Dave Parker provided a list of 37 potential
members for the Southwest Washington Detachment. With several Marines commitments, Bill set up for the
detachments first meeting, which was to be conducted in the basement of the
Camas Public Library at 1900 on the 19th of March 1992. After two introduction meetings at the
library, and with assistance from the members of the USS Oregon Detachment we
were on our way. Marine Bill Hillgaertner
arranged with the Orchards VFW for a site to conduct our monthly meetings and
our first meetings would begin at 1900 on the first Tuesday of each month. |
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On the 7th of November 1992
detachment members gathered at the O. O. Howard House on Officers Row at Ft.
Vancouver Barracks in front of the Medal of Honor Memorial to receive the
Charter of the now named “Columbia River Detachment #826”. The Department of Washington, Marine Corps
League Commandant, Marine Wayne Dale presented our charter and installed our
detachment and our first officers. |
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Our First Officers: |
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Commandant: William Hillgaertner Sr. Vice Commandant: Larry Blair Jr. Vice Commandant: John Witham Judge Advocate: Phil Ruhmshottel Adjutant/Paymaster: Roger Rueckert Sgt At Arms: Richard Fraser Chaplain: Ben Lopez |
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Our Charter: Our detachment was chartered on
the 28th of September 1992. The
charter was signed by National Commandant Lamar Golden, National Vice
Commandant NW Division Eldon Gebaroff and Department Commandant Wayne R. Dale
and our charter members. |
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Charter Members: (20) |
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